Abilene Zoo is undergoing its largest expansion project to date, A Bold Adventure. Its first phase, ‘Wild Encounters & Ferocious Eats’, reimagines the Zoo’s Africa region by bringing both new and familiar animals closer than ever before.
Among those returning to Abilene Zoo are rhinos! After walking beneath the archway with letters spelling out ‘AFRICA’, the first animal guests will encounter is a full crash of rhinos in their new habitat.
For as long as rhinos have been part of the Abilene Zoo family, their habitat has largely remained unchanged. Before them, elephants occupied the area, and few changes were made when it was converted for rhinos. Next door, habitats for tigers and lions were connected by the central warm holding building, one of the oldest structures in the zoo.
With the expansion, the rhino habitat is being rebuilt around the warm holding building and will nearly quadruple in size, giving much more room for the rhinos to romp. Guests will also have a nearly 360-degree view around the habitat with shaded areas for extended viewings. Historically, Abilene Zoo has been able to host only a single rhino at a time. Now, through A Bold Adventure, the Zoo can keep as many as 4 rhinos in the new habitat.
Abilene Zoo will be receiving eastern black rhinos, a critically endangered species. For the first time in its history, the Abilene Zoo will participate in rhino breeding programs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an integral worldwide conservation effort for the animal. Baby rhinos could soon be coming to the Abilene Zoo!
Like before, guests will continue to have opportunities to interact with the rhinos. Up-close Tours will be available where guests can go behind the scenes, feed the rhinos, explore the expanded rhino warm holding, and learn more about how keepers care for these incredible creatures.
Rhinos returning to our zoo is exciting, but it’s only a single part of A Bold Adventure. Your support will help bring A Bold Adventure to life and ensure that we continue to inspire meaningful connections with wildlife for generations to come.
For 60 years, we’ve been shaped by the support of our community. Now, as the next chapter begins, we invite you to be part of it.
Follow the journey on our social media channels for construction updates as the vision becomes a reality. Members will get special sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes updates.
Strap in for the adventure at abilenezoo.org/adventure.
